Barberea orthoceras, May 24, 2021
Common & scientific name
American yellowrocket, Barberea orthoceras
Family
Mustard, Brassicaceae
Location
Winter gate, 8,500’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This is a circumpolar species, meaning it is distributed around the world in the Northern Hemisphere. If it looks like a “weed,” well . . . that brings up the interesting question of what a “weed” really is. This plant is native and has evolved over many thousands of years to share space with other natives. But it isn’t particularly attractive, and can grown in great numbers (not on the Pass, however). Probably the best definition of a weed is a plant that grows where people don’t want it to grow!